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Worship 2018

Church Family,
I pray this season finds you well, as summer is here, and family fun and warm weather abounds. We all love summer. We get to spend more time outside. Summer vacation means the kids are home, and we get to spend a little more time with our families everyday.  Typically, summer brings a season of life in which we can breathe a little easier than the rest of the year.

2nd Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the word. Be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” I share this verse because I believe that we are all tempted to see the summer as our “off-season.” With the vacations, the outings, and everything in between, we can be tempted to see it as a time to step back from our faith a little bit. We’re tempted to take time away from Church, take time away from our  bibles, take time away from sharing our faith, etc. I want to encourage us all to not let this happen. May we not see these summer months as an “off-season”, but I pray we take      advantage of this time to really focus in our faith, and truly consider how God can and will work in our lives. Here are my three prayers for us this summer:

1) I pray we will lean into community. Let’s take advantage of the time together as a Church family, and individual families. While the kids are home for summer break, take advantage of every moment. Let our families not just get lost with sleeping in, and video games, but love one another by spending time together. Spend time with other believers,   encouraging each other with the word. Take this time with your small group to have fun! Community is such an important aspect of discipleship.

2) I pray we will avoid distractions. This is a tough one. But I pray that we won’t get lost in the world of social media this summer. This is the easiest time to scroll on your phone for endless hours. And if we do this, we will miss community. Consider this as a time to look away from your phone, and more to others around you. Facebook and Instagram aren't going anywhere. Consider when you can take some time away from them this summer. I believe we can hear God   differently when we want to hear Him through His word. The bible alone is enough for us! Take time off from things that distract you.

3) I pray that we won’t forget to worship. Don’t stop worshipping. Did you know that you can worship even when you aren’t at church? As you travel, as you have vacation, as you enjoy community outings, don’t forget to worship the One who created it all! Keep reading your bible, keep singing songs to God (you can worship, even with Spotify in the car). Don’t neglect worship time with your families. Last month, I shared an article about the importance of family worship. What a great time to practice family worship this summer! And lastly, but most importantly, if you are able, come to Church! Make this a priority for your family. The best way to practice all 3 of these things is by staying connected to the local body of believers through corporate worship. You will never regret bringing your family to church for 1-2 hours on a Sunday morning.

See you Sunday!
In Christ,
Jared 

Spiritual Development May 2018

The Importance of Good Communication

The power of good communication is often undervalued and underestimated. We can assume that people already know what we think they should, we think that its not necessary to communicate in advance, or we think that we have communicated adequately when in reality we haven’t. Everyone has experience the consequences of bad communication at some point, but what does the Bible have to say about our communication?

The Bible says that our words are powerful (Prov. 18:21; James 3:1-8), are valuable (Prov. 20:15; 25:11-14), and reflect our heart (Prov. 6:12; Matt. 12:34). It also gives instructions on how we are to   communicate such as: set a guard over your lips (Ps. 141:3), your lips should offer up a sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:15), speak encouragingly (Eph. 4:29), and bridle your tongue (James 1:26).
In Ephesians 4:25-32, Paul describes for his readers the ways that we should communicate with others around us. We can summarize these insights into four “rules” for communication. First, be honest (Eph. 4:25). We must speak everyday in order to be a functional part of society, but when we speak it must be truthful. We should avoid exaggeration, evasion, and half-truths, which are all types of falsehood that Paul assumes believers have put away. Earlier in this chapter (4:15), Paul says that when we speak truth it should be done lovingly. We should be concerned with what we say, how we say it, how much we say, and when we say it.

Second, keep current (Eph. 4:26-27). Solve each day’s problems quickly. When we fail to do this it: opens the way for resentment, hatred, and bitterness to take root; distorts previous problems; sets the stage for spiritual discouragement; and among married couples, it endangers sexual and relational intimacy that is good and necessary. As we strive to resolve current conflict we must ask: Do I have all the facts right? (Prov. 18:13), What is my reason for bringing this up? (Prov. 27:6), Have I dealt with my               responsibility? (Matt. 7:1-5), Am I being loving? (Eph. 4:15), Is it timely (Prov. 15:23), and Have I asked the Lord for understanding? (Prov. 3:5)

Third, attack problems, not people (Eph. 4:29-30). Avoid harmful, corrupting words that tear down, bypass the conflict, and that grieve the Holy Spirit. Instead, use edifying words that build up, that deal with what the person says or does, and that help reach a solution. When there is relational discord, the goal should be restoration, not merely confrontation.

Fourth, act, don’t react (Eph. 4:31-32). In verse 31 Paul describes many reactions that must be put off completely such as: bitterness (the inability to treat someone as if they never hurt you), wrath (flaring outbursts of rage), anger (settled indignation of hostility that frequently seeks revenge), clamor (harsh   contention and strife, public quarreling, brawling), slander (speech that injures, abusive speech), and malice (the desire to harm others or to see others suffer). In verse 32, Paul describe attitudes and actions we must put on to replace these reactions such as: kindness (benevolent, helpful, courteous), tenderhearted (compassionate, sympathetic), and forgiveness (to pass over an offense and to free the offender from the consequences of it—”just as God in Christ forgave you”).

 Recommended Resource— Conscience by Andrew Naselli & J.D. Crowley
 What do you do when you disagree with other Christians? How do you determine which convictions are negotiable and which are not? How do you get along with people who have different personal standards?

All of these questions have to do with the conscience. Yet there is hardly a more neglected topic among Christians. In this much needed book, the authors explore all thirty passages that deal with the conscience in the New Testament, showing how your conscience impacts virtually every area of your life, ministry, and missions. As you come to see your conscience as a gift from God and learn how to calibrate it under the Lordship of Christ, you will not only experience the freedom of a clear conscience but also discover how to lovingly interact with those who hold different convictions.